Biblical Truths About the End Times

There is increasing talk among TV ministries and social media concerning the end times. Too much of it is just that - talk. Unfortunately, this talk does reference Scripture, but in a manner that attempts to claim authority that the Scripture just does not allow. Should you read or hear one calling for a time when God will act, or attempts to narrow the end into the next few years, proceed with the utmost caution. History is replete with the unfortunate actions of those disappointed by such bold end times prophecies.

We have not been left completely in the dark on this subject, but it is still one that demands we approach it humbling, admitting that we are not given specifics, I believe this is so we do not suspend our work in building the Kingdom. We have a proclivity to do that. There are too many examples of cult leaders taking his group to the mountains to await the Second Advent, or mass suicides when it does not occur, all of which hurt the name of the church universal. No, we are to continue to speak truth to a dead and dying world, a world that is dead spiritually, and dying physically. The answer to the world is not the end, but the new beginning in Christ Jesus.I am convinced this is why the Lord Jesus told us, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

This is not to say the Bible leaves us without clues, When it comes to the last days, however, it tells us less than it does in other areas of knowledge. Still, it provides telling warnings that we are to look for, Here are a few:

Joel 2:28-32

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Matthew 24:7

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 21:11

There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Luke 21:25

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 Peter 3:3-4

Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Upon reading these, you will, no doubt, determine we are in the last days. You would be correct. You should know, too, what was said by Christ’s early the disciples in regard to their time. John the Beloved said, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” (I John 2:18) The Apostle Paul said, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) Are we nearer now? Of course! Still, based upon their understanding of the times, we should tread humbly in our understanding. 

After all this, what should we say and do? Has our duty to our Lord changed in the least? Not at all. We are to proclaim the Good News. Proclaiming the Gospel was Jesus’ last command to His disciples, followed by, “...surely I am with you always.” (Mark 16:15) There is little value to a lost and dying world to stand on a street corner wearing a sandwich board proclaiming “The End is Near.” How much better to declare along with Paul, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

What do you believe will be more pleasing to our Lord, more fitting for our talents, to sit and trim the wicks of our lanterns preparing for His return, our shining the Light of the World into the darkness? Yes, the end is near. Stop listening to those who claim to know when, Stop letting the knowledge of it cripple your service. Recognize the times and determine to make the most of what is left. We know time is short and that is all we have been told. Let us work as the Spirit desires and be found working when He returns!

Let God Be God

It is past time to step back and allow God to be God. Most assuredly, He will do it, anyway, as He neither asks or desires our puny permission. While mankind struggles with its identity, there are no such struggles among the Godhead. All His attributes are both known and fully developed. None depend on us or any of His creatures. He sits on the throne of heaven, secure in His divine right to govern all within His gaze, and all is within His gaze.

Still, there is an urge within mankind to view the Holy One through our own sin-stained lenses. This is unfortunately true for the believer as well as the unbeliever. We put faces on the Father Who is a Spirit. We make Jesus out to be a fair skinned feminized iconic image to hang on the wall with little to no threat to our daily lives. Worst still, we depict the Savior as still hanging from the cross, knowing full well that He is not there, He is risen victorious - but there He hangs.

We make bold statement about what God is like, what He would do and how He would do it. In so doing, our philosophies are informing out beliefs. However, it is our beliefs, developed based upon strong Biblical evidence, that should inform our philosophy. We should pull our preconceived notions out of the way and let God be God. There are some fundamental reasons we avoid doing so.

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”~Romans 9:19

What a telling, self-righteous, assault against the sovereignty of Almighty God! Within this verse, all mankind’s accusations against the Creator are summed up succinctly: God is responsible for everything that is wrong in our lives. He is the author of evil. We are being given a bum rap, as the fault lies squarely in the lap of God. God’s claim to sovereignty is used by His rebellious creatures to dare assign blame to Him. He is not given the praise and glory to whom even an earthly sovereign would be entitled. Man takes his knowledge of this essential element of God’s nature, twists it and charges Him with holding man to standards He does not observe, stacking the deck against them and somehow being a nefarious purveyor of power to play a game of chess with man as the pieces.

So, men respond to the Apostle Paul’s assertion of God’s sovereign rights with both accusation and indignation. “Well, Paul, if no one can resist His will, why are we responsible? Look, you said Pharaoh couldn’t resist His use of him as a pawn in opposing Moses and then punished all of Egypt for Pharaoh’s inability to resist. How is that fair or right, Paul? Explain how this is not God using men for evil purposes and then holding them accountable when they do evil!” 

Have you ever had questions like this? After all, the argument sounds logical, doesn’t it? Many people do make these arguments and they use it along with the best application of logic and reason. They point to Scripture teaching God’s will cannot be resisted or His purposes foiled and conclude God can do whatever He wants. So, then, He can use men for good or evil. If He uses them for evil, then they are not responsible for the evil they do, for it is God who makes them do so. How does He still condemn? Impeccable logic, isn’t it? There is one very important point: where does man get his credentials to question Almighty God? Paul addressed that immediately.

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ~Romans 9:20

Paul turns the question back on God’s accusers. “Who are YOU to question God?” This is echoed in the Book of Job Chapters 38-41. Paul’s thoughts are spoken to Job in even more direct manner. First, God showed His power over creation speaking through the whirlwind. Then He called out Job in a particularly humbling manner.

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.” ~Job 38:2-3

God goes on through the next four chapters challenging Job to meet His questions, to display his knowledge, and to establish his qualifications to question whether or not what God does is right or wrong. The result was a highly repentant Job. Unfortunately, Pail’s audience was not so readily deterred. Today’s doubters are even less capable of seeing the error of their arrogance. Make no mistake, arrogance is exactly what it is.

Man looks for any out to excuse himself from responsibility. “I don’t break God’s laws!” he exclaims. “I am not convinced there is a god in the first place and I do not accept the god of an ancient tribal people in any case,” he says, proclaiming his agnosticism. “Don’t quote Scripture at me! That old book is written by men and is of no value. I look to science for answers and that book and science do not agree.” Such an educated, astute man. When confronted with Paul, he responds, “He was a persecutor of the church, why would anyone listen to him?” To the Words of God to Job, the response would be, “Again. you make assertions with fables with no more credibility than those of Aesop!” 

Is there a pattern at work? You bet there is! By shifting blame to their Creator, man does not have to face his own depravity. He finds an excuse for his rebellion, after all, if God is responsible for evil, there is no reason for modern man to worship Him. If He is the cause of our infirmities, He cannot be a God of love. If His sovereignty can allow Him complete dominion over all He created, then man is no more than slaves at best and robots at worst, and rebellion is the only means to break free from tyranny. At least, that is how man has reacted to earthly tyrants. If God is simultaneously a god of good and evil, then truth, morality and ethics are open to interpretation and application as they conform to one’s own values, a system known as relativism. All this meets the needs of a sinful and disobedient people who prefer to remain alienated from One Who threatens their erroneous perception that they are the master of their fate. They refuse to answer the questions, “Who are you, O man?” and “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.~ Colossians 1:16

Man’s reasoning is, however, fatally flawed. It is flawed by the very attitude that drives them to push the idea of God away. It is caused by the sin nature and its resulting spiritual death. Paul speaks in Romans 1 to man’s depravity and in Romans 8 to man’s continued enmity towards their Maker and their affinity to His chief angelic enemy, Satan. The separation caused by this alienation prevents natural man from discerning spiritual things. Included in this is the inability to see with spiritual eyes that God maintains control through His heavenly control room.

Look at the verse above and think from the perspective of a centralized point of control. Scripture informs us that Christ is the “him” of this verse. Scripture also tells us where He is: sitting on the right-hand of God the Father. Where would that be, besides heaven’s throne room. That same throne room with the candlesticks and the bowls and the angelic creatures with multiple eyes and the 24 elders. You can do the study on this to make sure I’m not making it up. (I’m not) From a military perspective, that sounds an awful lot like a “situation,” or control room. The verse from Colossians 1 sounds a lot like  complete, total and absolute control: ALL things were created (1) by, (2) through and (3) for Christ. 

Furthermore, Jesus stated as recorded n Matthew 11:27, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” This sounds like a statement of authority to me, and authority carries with it the power needed to uphold that authority. In other words, control.

Yes, I know, the idea that God is in absolute control is laughable even to most Christians. If this were so, it would violate our conception of Him, as either a President/CEO type concerned only with the “big-picture” items, or else the cosmic watchmaker who wound things up and allows it to keep on ticking away. Others would say He would never violate the free-will of men. While it would be fun to discuss each of these from their purely philosophical aspects, these weighty ideas should seek reconciliation through Scripture. We have already seen some of the objections human reasoning and logic can bring to bear on the subject.

Besides, Scripture is quite clear, depicting God as the One and Only Absolute King of the Universe, ruling over all and doing everything He pleases. Refer to: Exo 15:18; 1Ch 29:11-12; 2Ch 20:6; and Ps 22:28. He is not only sovereign in some abstract way, retaining the right to exercise it in governing all things but choosing not to do so, but He actually and proactively ordains and brings to pass everything that takes place on earth. Refer to Deu 32:39; 1Sa 2:6-8; Job 9:12; 12:6-10; Ps 33:11; 115:3; 135:6; Isa 14:24; 45:7; Ac 15:17-18; and Eph 1:11. From the smallest matters of “chance,” such as the casting of dice (Pro 16:33), to the greatest events of the mightiest kingdoms of earth (Isa 45:1-4), God is actively bringing all things to pass according to His Own counsel, will and good pleasure. 

Nothing falls outside of His plans, governing the coincidental happenings (1Ki 22:20, 34, 37), to the actions of wicked men. Refer to: Ge 45:5; 50:20; Exo 4:21; Jdg 14:1-4; Ps 76:10; Pro 16:4; 21:1; Isa 44:28; Amo 3:6; Ac 2:22-23; and 4:27-28. He governs the good deeds of men (Joh 15:16; Eph 2:10; Phi 2:12-13), the actions of both evil spirits and good angels (1Sa 16:14-16; 1Ki 22:19-23; 1Ch 21:1/2Sa 24:1; Ps 103:20-21; and 104:4), the habits of animals (Num 22:28; 1Ki 17:4; Ps 29:9; Jer 8:7; Eze 32:4; Dan 6:22) and the operations of all creation (Ge 8:22; Ps 104:5-10; 13-14; 19-20; and Mk 4:39).

I challenge you to study the Scriptures for yourself. Examine them and see what He says of Himself through His inspired Word. It does make a difference whether you believe God is the absolute sovereign or not. If He is, all will go according to what is written in His Word, all the promises, all the message of redemption, all the teachings of His love, all the assurance that Jesus is the Messiah and that He bore all for you. If He is not completely sovereign, where is out hope? Where is our eternal security? Study to find the answer to the questions posed earlier: “Who are you, O man?” and “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” It is past time for us to finally let God be God.

(Here’s a hint: any answer that is not similar to that found in Job 40:4 or Isaiah 6:5 should be carefully reconsidered.)

My Top Five Scriptures

The Word of God’s riches are truly of inestimable value. One could search them for years and continually change their list of favorite verses. That has certainly been the case for me, and I must acknowledge there are others that could quite easily move in and out of the “top five” with no harm to the overall message.These, then, will adequately serve, with the caveat above a point of consideration

        ☛“then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the   

             man became a living creature.” ~Genesis 2:7

There are several things in this verse that make it appeal to me. First, it reminds me of my very humble beginnings, being formed of the dust. Second, it tells me that there is a much more powerful force that can and did create all that is, including me. Third, my creation was different from all the others God made, in that He actually left His mark in me, by breathing into me. Finally, it tells me that I am dependent on Him for everything.

         ☛He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My  

             refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”  ~ Psalm 91:1-2

I actually love the entire chapter, but going through it would take a volume, not a blog. This verse begins the supportive chapter that is full of promise. In many cases it speaks to promises given to the Christ, but it is often promises to us as well. It is very reminiscent of a bird sheltering its young. I am forever the young child of the eternal Father. The Scripture goes forward with a militaristic depiction of the Lord as my fortress.Fortress of that period were usually of stone, a number of feet thick, or earthen buttresses, also feet thick. In either case, these fortresses were impenetrable except at their weakest points, the gates. But God maintains the fortress in its entirety, and as the verse states, He is trustworthy. The gates of God’s protective edifices need no guards walking parapets, no armament or arms to propel shafts or arrows in defense. No, where God is providing shelter, those inside are protected by His very Word. That is all it takes, though I must remind myself constantly.

        ☛“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall  

             be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6

This verse reveals the mechanism of the Father’s redemptive plan. Spoken here by one of God’s most reliable prophets, it should be clear the plan was in place for an extremely long time. Speaking of the birth of One bearing the titles Isaiah, speaking as an inspired agent, uses there can only be One figure this prophecy foretells: God’s Messiah. Further, the government of the future Kingdom is spelled out as being under this same divine Person.

        ☛Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”’ 

            ~John 14:6

What a marvelous, revealing statement by our Lord. It could not be more clear on how to reach the Father.  Jesus declares Himself as the way (to the Father), the truth (the Father must be worshipped in spirit and truth AND the truth sets us free) and the life (the way to eternal life). Further, He eliminates ALL other means to reach the Father, answering the age-old question, “Don’t all roads lead to God?” According to the Messiah, the answer is a definitive, authoritative and resounding NO.

        ☛“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to 

             his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order 

             that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those 

             whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” ~Romans 8:28-30

Okay, admittedly this is more than a verse. With the love I have for Romans 8, it could be worse. In any case, this verse serves to inform my theology. There is no specific mention of the sovereignty of God, yet it is a lesson in it. God must be sovereign to ensure “all things work together for good.” It discusses His calling and calling according to His purpose, or will. His work as the initiating, active, effective and completing agent in the salvic experience is spelled out. We are the recipients of faith and grace, as we respond to His irresistible calling. What a humbling knowledge: those who are saved are saved not by works of righteousness, not by anything we could or would do, but by His sovereign will. Amazing, amazing is His grace!

Blessings!

Just Imagine

Imagine. Just imagine that you were in a car accident that was your fault and those in the other car were killed as a result. Your actions were not intentional: the other car was in your blind spot.  When you changed lanes, your car hit the front end of the other causing it to spin off the road into an embankment, flip and land in a river. The young couple in the front seat were killed hitting the embankment. Their children, all three, could not escape the car and drowned.

What a horrible, horrible tragedy! Of course you stopped your car immediately and ran to the river with the intent of jumping in to help anyone trapped in the car, but it sank too quickly and your ability to swim limited. You looked on aghast from the shore, feeling horror, guilt and shame.

Minutes later, police arrived. They examined the scene, spoke with the several witness that stopped by the busy road, looked at the damage to your car and then began to question you. Though in shock, you answered their questions to the best of your ability. You were honest, forthright and contrite. As rescue crews prepared to leave, the car secured to a wrecker and the coroner’s van ready to transport the victims, a policeman began to read you your rights,

What? It was an ACCIDENT you exclaim! As your rights continue to be read, it is as if the officers are deaf to your claims of innocence. You are shackled in handcuffs just as the office asks, “Do you understand these rights?” You nod, as words escape you. The charge sticks in your mind, swirling round and round: five counts of Vehicular Manslaughter. The only response you can force yourself to say is, “It was an accident!” No one listens as you are placed into the back of a squad car.

At the precinct you are finger-printed, photographed, interrogated, and placed in a cell. The only sensible thing you did during the interrogation was request an attorney. Waiting seemed like forever until your attorney arrived. The particulars of the accident were discussed again in detail. Questions were asked again and again, each time you relived the horror of the scene. You could not escape your guilt, but you muttered once more, “It was an accident.” Lives were lost, families destroyed, loved ones shattered, children’s futures ripped away in a moment, because of an accident. Your attorney ended the session abruptly telling you your only hope to escape time in prison would be a plea bargain. You refused, again saying, “It was an accident.”

Once again, your wait behind bars feels like months. At long  last, a court date is set and you appear before the judge, “How do you plea?” he asks. Against your attorney’s advice, you say, “Not guilty.” A trial date is set and you are returned to your prison cell to wait. Your mind goes over and over the terrible accident. You didn’t see them. It was an accident. You pulled over, that’s all. Who could have expected the horror that ensued? You cannot escape what you witnessed. You cannot stop the mental replay. You hear the initial crash between your car and theirs and you see their car careening off the road. The weight of it pulls on your mind and heart. You are literally tormented. At long last, your role in it, your inescapable role in the deaths of 5 sinks in. You reach the point of no escape and you find yourself the initiator of the tragedy. Finally, the word comes to your mind: guilty.

Entering the courtroom you tell your attorney you want to change your plea. Denying any intentional wrong, you accept your actions that led to the accident. The attorney advises the judge of your desires, and he looks to you again and asks, “How do you plea?” “Guilty,” you respond, with your head hung down. Then again, you speak, “Guilty as charged.”

This scenario is very long, but the point it is trying to make is this: we do not see our guilt before a holy and righteous God. Our sins before Him we see as accidents. We condone them in our minds because we had no intent to commit them. It just happened. It was required by circumstances, or not really as it seems, or just a little thing, or everyone does it. Any affront against the laws of God is an unintentional accident. But, we are inescapably guilty, and that includes all of us. We are complicit in every sin. We are, on every point of the law of God, lawbreakers without excuse: guilty as charged.

Return to the courtroom for a moment. Your guilty plea is recorded and the judge dismisses the jury. He stands, removes his robes, and joins you in the docket. Standing beside you, he pronounces his verdict: Guilty on all charges. I sentence myself to five years in prison. The defendant is free to go. Your shock and amazement leaves you speechless. Though guilty, another has taken your place and will bear the penalty for your guilt. You look to the judge and ask why, to be told he is a relative who has loved your family deeply though separated by distance and years.

Sound somewhat familiar? It is what Jesus Christ has done for us. Our guilt in breaking the laws of God is without doubt, excuse, or escape. Intentions don’t matter, but if they did, we would find ourselves rebels against the King of the Heavens, intent on raising ourselves above His throne. We are guilty under penalty of eternal damnation. Yet, because of love, the Son of God stepped down from heaven and took our place, bore our sins, and took on Himself our just penalty of death. Why did He do this? 

He did it for love’s sake. Recall that man was intentionally made in His image, and man alone was animated by the breath of God. Though sin has separated us from Him by distance and years, He continued to love us and He demonstrated it on Calvary. The defendant is free to go, free to be reunited in communion with his Creator, for eternity. Not of his own works or merit, but because another took the full penalty of our guilt. The defendant is free to go, Imagine that for a moment.

Blessings.

The Heart-lifting Message of the Gospel

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is, in its simplest form, the Good News that God decided before He spoke the first words of creation, that the creature who would rebel against Him had value. The value does not lie in the creature, which is us, but in the fact that God assigned us worth. Our value, our worth, is reflected in God’s inexplicable, inexhaustible, incomprehensible love for us. Who has heard a more positive, heart-lifting message?

The extent of this Good News cannot be adequately expressed. We must understand that our rebellion began at our first opportunity, and it still does. We must understand that our rebellion is such that in our lost state we are God’s enemies. We must understand that though we claim otherwise, we are children of the Devil, God’s angelic adversary, who brought war in heaven, Our rebellion was complete, total and corrupted our emotions, our thinking and our actions. 

Still, the Good News is that God, and this is important, loves us. It is not a past-tense love. The point of the Gospel is He loves us in our present, rebellious, sinful state. Though we shake our fists to the heavens and rage against Him, the message of the Gospel does not change. Even while we live in the tents within the enemy’s camp, His love burns fervently for us

The Bible carries this message from cover to cover: God loves us. He provides for us. He seeks us out. He comes to our rescue. He does not leave us alone. He makes promises with us and keeps them, even when we are disobedient. His love toward us is not based on our attitude, affections or actions. It is nothing we earn. He loves us because He has determined to do so. Such is the message of the Good News!

The Good News is reflected in God’s redemptive plan for His wayward, sinful, rebellious creatures. He knows full well the depth of our depravity and our inability to do anything to rescue ourselves. He even understands we do not desire reconciliation. Still, He loves us, and for this reason, Jesus Christ came into the world. He came to show God’s love. He came to fulfill redemption’s plan at His Own expense. His mission was about God’s love from first to last. He is the central figure in the Good News. of God

There are many Scriptures that tell this story, but I have chosen six. They tell the proactive actions of God’s Son in reaching out to mankind, to find them, to fulfill the law for them, to bring them from the darkness of sin and Satan to the light of God and to give us life to its fullest. This is the Good News that must be proclaimed by every believer. These are all quoted from the English Standard Version.

☛ “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came      into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 1 Timothy 1:15

☛ ‘And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”’ Mark 2:17

☛  "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

☛  "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:3,4

☛  "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46

☛  "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Have you accepted God’s offer? Is your life changed through the reconciling acts of the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, I urge you to do so today! The Good News is for the benefit of lost creatures, not God. It is for you, it is a gift and it has eternal significance.

If you have been restored to God by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are you proclaiming the Good News to others? There is no more positive message on earth than the Gospel. It is the only means by which man can shed the chains of sin and death. It is the only way God accepts the restoration of rebels. Only through the Good News of Jesus Christ can one commune once again with the Creator. Too many see Christianity as condemning, judgmental and elitist. The message of the Gospel proves otherwise. Share it!

Blessings in Him

Christmas Confession

Well, another Christmas season has passed its peak. Rising early again this morning, I collected my thoughts about what transpired over the last few days and especially on Christmas Day itself. If your day was anything like mine, it was very, very busy. 

It was so busy that by early evening my wife and I were exhausted. Now, admittedly my dear bride bore the brunt of the work, with wrapping gifts and cooking for an army-sized family for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My role was merely a supporting one: logistics work, mainly. I coordinated the movement of elements of the family, provided an extra pair of hands, lifted the beef roast (referred to as a quarter of a cow), retrieved items high off the shelves, carved the roast, and, perhaps most importantly, opened the bottles of wine. These contributions were minor. Still, by 5pm I could have sworn it was 10 - and the outside lights had not even come on.

Yes, I found time to write a simple Christmas song. I wrote several "Hallmarky" poems. You will see I even got in a couple of sermonettes posted here. Still, this morning I see how this special time was spent more in the rush of a Silver Bells moment rather than Adeste Fideles.  There most certainly was not enough Stille Nacht. 

After my first cup o 'joe, my mind says what transpired was not wrong, really. That is, it was not wrong in general. However, now on the second cup, a Scripture that has been tugging at me demands I reconsider. In so doing, my mind once more says there is nothing wrong in general with all the hustle and bustle surrounding this holiday, but there may be something specifically wrong - inescapably wrong - sinfully wrong.

The condemning verse is well known: "Be still and know that I am God…" As spoken too already, there was far too little time in our day to follow this command to "Be still…" In fact, I did almost everything else, but even when writing that we should focus on the event, I was not still. Here we are at the season where we know the angelic proclamation that there should be a sense of "Peace on earth," we are not at peace: we are too concerned with celebrating. We are not still, so we consequently deprive ourselves of the opportunity to worship in the knowledge of God. In missing this opportunity, we are specifically wrong.

But, it is even worse. This very familiar verse demanding we "Be still and know that I am God…" is part "a" of the verse. What follows is less known, but it places an exclamation point after God's command. Let's look at the verse in its entirety:

“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!” Ps 46:10

My re-evaluation tells me the season is not over. I have pressing things to do. Things that were not done, or not done as they should. How could it be, especially at this time of year, that I failed so miserably? Thankfully, I can begin now. Join me if you will, in my prayer:

Father God, forgive me! I exalt You and praise You!  There is none like You in the heavens or the earth! You, my God, You alone are worthy of praise. Help me to not only "Be still and know…" You, as I look to Bethlehem, but the entire year. Teach me concerning Yourself, that I may better worship You. Let my thoughts be on You continually, so that my soul is constantly singing Your praise. Thank You for Your correction and thank You for Your marvelous saving grace, which came at the cost of Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior, Advocate and Mediator, and in Whose Name I pray, AMEN.

May we all take to heart the entire verse of Psalm 46:10 and all the more so at this time of year. Knowing that good intentions often fade, I purpose that, if Christ delays His coming for another Christmas season, next year's celebration will be different. This year just didn't cut it. The next will be much, much slower but full of His praises, not just for the birth of Messiah, but for the One Triune God, All praise to Him!

Blessings as you contemplate your Christmas time,

The Christmas Child

The Lord has come

The battle won

O'er death and sin and hell

Their chains are gone

They no more do wrong

He has broken sin's dark spell

The vanquished foe 

Seems not to know

His reign on earth is through

Though he fights on

All was lost anon

As God's Son made His debut

Who'd have thought

What this day brought

In this Child Who in a manger lay?

Here Almighty God

Would walk earth's sod

To reteach mankind His ways

But there was more

That lay in store

For the Babe born in Bethlehem

The Great "I AM"

Revealed His plans

To reclaim all things through Him

So Christ came down

Laid aside His crown

Became flesh on Christmas Day

Fouling Satan's schemes

His Father beamed

As His Lamb accomplished all His way

Though a mere Child

So meek and mild

At least that's what man could see

His story foretold

From ages old

This Child brought certain victory!

Christmas Eve Sky

(Brilliant Night Sky)

The skies above this Christmas Eve

Are filled with the heaven’s stars

A brighter night I cannot conceive

But one out shined all others and by far

The night was foretold from ages past

Penned by Israel’s prophets long ago

But few expected the means forecast

And fewer still chose the times to know

Yes, all the prophets words were known

Though discerned through blinded eyes

That when He left His heavenly throne

The learned were proved to be unwise

So while that night was filled with light

Illumined by one star with beams aglow

The Son of God became for us finite

Though heirs to prophets didn’t know

Blind of eye they proved not to hear

As bright skies burst with angels’ song

Darkened minds had deafened ears

Their form of worship had gone wrong

So this Christmas Eve with its bright sky

Where the stars shine down from space

Keep my eyes I pray on Christ glorified

Who bought my soul by His acts of grace.

Don't Focus on the Day

Wise men still seek Him!

As Christmas dawns on us and Christians join in celebration of the birth of the Son of God, it is important to keep in mind that it is the event we should recognize, not the historicity of it. In fact, history, given no Scriptural evidence in regard to the date, indicates Christ would have been born in the summer or fall of the year. In fact, the preponderance of evidence points to September. Here is some of the evidence:

1. December nights in Judea are rainy and cold. The Gospel of Luke (2:7-8) tells us shepherds were in the fields tending their flocks at night, Under the usual December conditions, they would have most likely have their flocks under shelter.
2. The rough temperatures, dropping at times below freezing, would make travel more difficult. We know Joseph was traveling with his wife to Jerusalem for the Roman census. (Luke 2:1-4) The Romans were too efficient to take a census when conditions would impede those under their rule to register.
3. John the Baptist was six months older than Jesus. We know this because Elizabeth was in her sixth month when Mary conceived. Luke (1:1-24) speaks to John’s conception and calculations put it near late June. This would put his birth in March and adding six months would place Jesus’ birth at the end of September.
4. Early Church fathers placed Jesus’ verse all over the place. Clement placed it in November, Irenaeus viewed it in March, a document from Africa placed it in March and Hippolytus went so far as to pick a day - Wednesday. Had there been any evidence to point to a December birth, this would not have been the case.

So, why do we celebrate it in December? There appears to be no reason other than to align Christ’s birth with a popular pagan religious observance. December was already being celebrated as the pagan European, especially German birthday of the sun and winter solstice, the Scandinavian Jul, and the Roman Saturnalia. The High Middle Ages saw Christmas reach prominence.

If Christmas is so connected with (and its customs derived from) pre-Christian and pagan worship, why should we observe it at all? Since the arrival of European settlers to the New World, America has seen a definite ebb and flow regarding this question. It was not until the mid-19th century that it became an increasingly significant and institutionalized holiday. Economics played a major part, but the religious celebration of the date cannot be disregarded.

Why celebrate on December 25th? In the end, our best guesses are all we can muster. Yes, there are very good arguments for fall, but without a reliable date provided in Scripture, best guesses are not fact, no matter how well-reasoned. The event is worthy of celebration in and of its own right. The Son of God left His rightful heavenly throne and entered our world to fulfill His Father’s redemptive plan. 

This is, after all, the real message of the season. God loved and valued His creatures to the point He would come to set them free from the curse of sin. Forget the pagan connection and the economic excesses. Admit that we do not know the when of His birth anymore than we know the when of His return. Don’t focus on the day, but the event. We know He came and that He will return. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad!

What are you seeking in Bethlehem?

‘Tis the season. It’s that time of year when we celebrate the greatest gift ever given through acts of generosity, charity and love. Amazingly, the time is celebrated regardless of religious views. Still, the reason for the season is known to center on an otherwise insignificant little town en-route to Jerusalem. Everyone knows of it, the town of Bethlehem.

Yes, ‘tis the season, but what do you look for when you look to Bethlehem? Many of us display a creche somewhere amongst our decorations, with sheep, cows, donkeys, shepherds, three wise men and a small family of three, with a baby in a manger. Is this what you look for in Bethlehem? ‘Tis the season.

If we are looking for a baby in the hay, we are missing the point. Almighty God did not send His Son into the world to be the subject of ooh’s and aah’s. No, the Christ-child was but the beginning of something we mere humans never heard of before and can barely grasp now. The birth in Bethlehem was a cosmic event planned and executed to precision before the foundations of this world were laid.

What are you looking for in Bethlehem? The birth of a child is rather commonplace. Sadly, the birth of a child to poor parents in deplorable conditions happens every day all over the world. The birth in Bethlehem was different and we must recognize it as such. What are you looking for in Bethlehem?

‘Tis the season, but for what? The particular mission of God’s Son was not about birth. It was about death. It was a mission to die for creatures who were in complete rebellion against the God of the universe and beyond. He was to suffer for His enemies in order to reunite them with their Creator. He came to reclaim creatures who’s only true value and worth was and is found in the Creator’s inexplicable, irrevocable love for them. 

Consider as you prepare to celebrate that Jesus Christ was born into an environment where He was despised for all He was and all He represented. He was born behind enemy lines, so to speak. In taking on flesh, He restrained His power as God, humbled Himself toward creatures whose best works were no more than filth. The minds of those who should have worshipped, adored and obeyed from centuries before were so corrupted that they would not and could not do anything at all to please Him. He gave Himself up to those who hated Him, those He could annihilate with but a word. 

You say I go too far in my assessment of the human condition? Read Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Apostle to the gentles was much more condemning than I. After reading it, I doubt I will hear any voices of opposition. 

What are you seeking in Bethlehem? In the fullness of God’s time, His Son took on flesh to be rejected by His creatures, continually harassed and denigrated by the religious leaders and accused of being a sinner, a rebel Himself, a lunatic and even demon-possessed. Attempts on His life were frequent. Despite living a sinless life, demonstrating His concern and love for doubting people, teaching the supposedly learned in the way of His Father, healing the sick, feeding the hungry  and even raising the dead, He was humiliated, beaten, cursed and spit upon. The occupying soldiers of His homeland stripped Him, scourged Him to the point of death, put a crown of thorns on Him and pounded the thorns into His head. Finally, they carried out a sentence of death in the most agonizing manner the Romans knew to use, and they were experts in pain. For all this, He came.

‘Tis the season, isn’t it? The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. That is all of us, and certainly it is me. His birth was necessary to fulfill this purpose. In the manger of Bethlehem lay the Savior of the world. There lay the One Who bore the nails in His hands and feet and the spear in His side. Even worse than all man could do to Him, He suffered separation from His Father as He became sin for us. This was the reason He came, the reason He became that child in the manger. His mission was one of redemption, pure and simple. But, ‘tis the season, right?

Indeed it is, but not for the reasons we too often celebrate. The prophet Isaiah saw the day and prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6) In his Gospel, Luke records the angelic pronouncement, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk 2:11)

What are you seeking in Bethlehem? I for one am looking for my Redeemer, Who bore unimaginable sufferings just to bring me back to Him. I look to see the signs of that deliverance, because that is why He came. All His sufferings were known by Him before the first act of creation. Still He came. Forensically, His mission was accomplished eternities ago. Those nail-prints, the flayed back, the bruised face, the bleeding head and the pierced side were effectively there before He stepped across the threshold of Heaven to take on flesh. This is what I yearn to see when I enter the gates of glory and for all eternity. 

What are you seeking in Bethlehem? Are you looking for a meek child born in a stable? I implore you to look again, and see the Savior with all the marks that bought our pardon. Isaiah 53:5 states, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” 

‘Tis the season, indeed. If we cannot or will not see the end result of this marvelous event, we are shortsighted, O, Come Let Us Adore Him, oh, let us throw ourselves before the Lamb of God. He deserved our worship before, and He certainly claims it now. O, Little Town of Bethlehem, you were the entry point for He Who gives grace and faith. Don’t let this be a Silent Night, but fill it with praise for the One Who suffered and rose victorious! Look to Bethlehem and see Him Who bears the scars of our redemption! ‘Tis the season!

Christmas Star

Some of my passions are writing music and playing the guitar. Please note, they are passions, but not necessarily things I am good at doing. My critics are many, beginning with my bride of going on 40 years (a little over a month away). In any case, I am sharing this little number in appreciation of the season. Feel free to use it if you find it of merit in worship. My only request is, if you do, please let me know the when and where and how it was received. It is copyrighted, so please ask me for permission before recording it (not that I expect you will find it of such value).

Christmas Star

VERSE 1

D                      G         A7

One bright and radiant star

D                    A7            D

Its brilliance dimming others

G                   A7          D

Giving guidance from afar

D      G         A7         D

To a place that’s like no-other

CHORUS

G             A7            D

Shine on Christmas star

G                  A7     D

Glow with all your might

D             A7             D

Shine on Christmas star

G            A7       D

Guide us to the Light

VERSE 2

D             G       A7

Just one single star

D             A7          D

Points to where He lay

G                    A7                   D

Looking down from where you are

D     G           A7         D

You see Him in the hay

CHORUS

VERSE 3

D                    G           A7

The beams of this one star

D              A7            D

Caress the Christ-child’s face

G             A7               D

O star, how blessed you are

D               G         A7              D

To shine on Him, God’s gift of grace

CHORUS

Why is the Message of the Gospel rejected by so many?

Have you ever wondered why so many reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The message is quite compelling: believe and have life everlasting. Such an idea fulfills a basic instinctual impulse of self-preservation, yet those willing to accept this offer are dwindling. How can this be? If it were a matter of mere choice, why would so many prefer to forgo the offer of eternal bliss? There must be something to it that makes it more difficult than most understand. In fact, there is.

The answer is found in the Word of God. Man has a "natural" way of living, and it is one that excludes the Creator completely.  The Apostle Paul addressed this, writing, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1:21-23)

Such words are not tolerated well in our politically correct society. Yet, Paul goes further, stating, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7-8) Restating this in today’s language would result in something close to this: man is by nature an enemy of God, wants nothing to do with God, and in and of him/herself does not have the ability to change and please God. Ouch. People reject the Gospel because they cannot do otherwise.

How does this reconcile itself to the modern evangelist who says repentance is nothing more than deciding you are going in the wrong direction, deciding to turn around and place his/her faith in Jesus Christ? Before answering, take another look at the Scriptures cited above. If you are intellectually honest, you will conclude that there is no reconciliation. It cannot be done. It is against man’s very nature. 

We are left with the sad realization that accepting God’s offer is beyond our grasp. This does not mean we are doomed to eternal punishment, however, for what we cannot do in and of ourselves, God has already done! Scripture gives us this marvelous news, as Paul writes again, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love,” (Ephesians 1:4) and “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers,” (Romans 8:29) and again, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:30)

In our time of easy-believism, we tend to overlook this part of the marvelous Gospel. Jesus died for us and through Him we have the gift of grace. But, before the foundations of the world were laid, God had determined, in accordance with His Own Divine and Sovereign will, to work a change in the hearts of those who were by nature His enemies. On your own, you would reject Him, but we are not left alone!

Do you feel a need for Christ today? If so, He has placed that desire in you. It was put there before you were even born. It won’t go away until you respond and accept Him. Why wait? All you need do is tell Him you no longer want to be a rebel, you are genuinely sorry for your sins and rebellion, ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and accept the gift of faith and grace. If you feel the need, the work has been done on your behalf, long, long and longer ago. You can accept the Gospel and embrace it. Won’t you start enjoying Him today?